In Africa, the vast majority of babies are breastfed
Sexualization of breasts today. Breasts in Africa; breasts are less eroticized in some rural African societies where women go topless than in urban societies where breasts are exploited in advertising and in pornography.
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| Breasts are for feeding infants |
In Africa, the vast majority of babies are breastfed.
Breasts in Africa; breasts are less eroticized. Breasts are for feeding infants but there is a counterproductive dogged issue as female breasts exposed for money.
Breasts in the US are big business because sex
sells. We see women’s breasts everywhere on television, at the movies, in
magazines, on billboards. The addictive and harmful nature of porn is likely
another reason why women’s breasts have become sexualized.
According to the National Geographic Society’s
official website, one of the magazine’s early milestones came when its
publishers decided that from then on out, they would show native peoples as
they were, including when photographed nude. In the case of November 1896, that
month’s issue included a photograph of a topless Zulu bride and groom from
South Africa.
The message conveyed is that nudity is not
necessarily pornographic in nature, but that it has a legitimate, academic
place when studying world cultures. The African culture knew breastfeeding is
the best way to feed baby and breasts are for nourishing life, not giving
pleasure.
Above: Health extension worker Elsebeth Aklilu refers to a family health card while counseling Kedo Abdula, who is holding her 21-month-old daughter, Fenete Abdela, on best nutrition practices, at the health post in the village of Maderia, in Gemechis, a woreda (district) of Oromia Region.
One problem is other cultures see bare-breasted African women as lacking modesty, that they are closer to animals, that they are loose and want sex all the time. However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, at the same time, National Geographic displayed bare-breasted African women for scientific cultural purposes, in the Victorian age, there were and still, are taboos and social stigmas against showing nakedness, including showing your ankles or wearing pants.
The images of bare-chested African women were
disgraceful, to say the least, and African women were seen as heathens and not
real people. No breach of etiquette elucidates the point more than the
Victorian taboo about female toplessness. A taboo persists to the present day.
In Africa, women were not taught to be ashamed of
their bodies, ashamed of being naked. The African culture knew breastfeeding is
the best way to feed baby and breasts are for nourishing life, not giving
pleasure. Giving no other foods or liquids, including water, to babies for the
first six months could save the lives of up to 1.3 million children each year
worldwide.
Early initiation of breastfeeding provides
warmth, promotes bonding, and helps the mother by reducing the risk of
postpartum hemorrhage. During the first days of life, breastfeeding helps to
prevent low blood sugar and low body temperature, which is important
contributors to newborn deaths.
Most newborns are ready to find the nipple and
latch on to the breast within the first hour of birth, if provided with
immediate skin-to-skin contact. Colostrum, the thick and yellowish or clear
breastmilk produced in the first few days provides the baby with high levels of
antibodies, immune cells, vitamin A, and other protective factors.
Breast is best recommended breastfeeding
practices for the newborn:
• Early breastfeeding – initiation of
breastfeeding takes place within one hour of birth, with colostrum and
continuous skin-to-skin contact.
• Exclusive breastfeeding (no other foods or liquids,
not even water) for six months.
• Good attachment and positioning and prompt
treatment of breast conditions such as engorgement, cracked nipples, mastitis,
and breast abscesses.
• Frequent breastfeeds, day and night (8-12 times
per 24 hours and more frequently if needed, especially in the early weeks).
• Continuation of breastfeeding when the mother or the newborn is ill.
• Extra support for feeding more vulnerable
newborns, including low birthweight or premature babies, those born to
HIV-infected women, sick or severely malnourished babies, and those in
emergency settings such as war or natural disaster.
More information about Africa and African people
Historical African Country Name
Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
How many countries does Africa have?
A wise father encourages breastfeeding so his baby grows up to be strong, healthy, and intelligent.
African Water Spirit Mami Wata
Africa and Hate Have Five Things In Common
Ghost towns and wild horses of the African Namib Desert
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| African moms breastfeeding children |
The average woman's breasts have increased from a 34B in the 1960s to 36DD today.
